Fabric positioning mechanism



Nov. 8, 1960 R. L. SJOSTROM 2,959,412

FABRIC POSITIONING MECHANISM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed llay 16, 1957 wirl 4 s heo ts-shoet 2 Ill-Ill'lll R. L. sJos'rRoM FABRIC POSITIONING MECHANISM 4 L L 4 l Nov. 8, 1960 .7

Filed Kay 16, 1957 Nov. 8, 1960 R. L. SJOSTROM meme POSITIONING mcamisu Filed lay 16, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent FABRIC POSITIONING MECHANISM Robert L. Sjostrom, 9201 E. Bay Harbor Drive, Miami Beach, Fla.

Filed May 16, 1957, Ser. No. 659,544

6 Claims. Cl. 271-84) The present invention relates to a fabric positioning mechanism, and in particular to a mechanism for positioning the free end of a continuous length of fabric or the like in a fabric cutting machine for severing, and then for removal from the cutting device subsequent to the severing.

In my previous co-pending application Serial No. 583,993, filed May 10, 1956, there is disclosed an automatically operating device in which a continuous supply of fabric is carried over a cutting surface to an automatic cutting device, which utilized a photocell arrangement as a guide for transverse cutting. Air blast means for removing the severed segment from the cutting machine are operative on completion of the cut. The present invention provides a modified structure for semi-automatic specialized operation of improved design over certain features of this co-pending application. As will be recognized in this previous application a plurality of fingers or clamps grip the free and leading edge of the fabric being severed and draw it forward a selected distance. The fingers hold the fabric while the leading portion is being severed. These fingers are maintained in this position while the trailing edge of the severed portion is subjected to an air blast to remove it from the table. The fingers then release the fabric dropping it on a pile. The fingers are returned to grasp the newly formed leading edge of the continuous length of fabric.

In the present invention means are provided by which the clamping fingers release the leading edge of the severed section before it is in fact severed, and move back towards the cutting device into a position to grasp the newly formed leading edge while it is still being formed. In the operative sequence of the presently conceived system the leading edge of the fabric first is drawn forward by clamp elements or fingers and the leading edge is then released. The grasping means or fingers then return towards the cutting device while the cutting operation takes place. When the cutting is completed the mechanism onto which the severed sections fall moves forward to draw the trailing edge of this severed section from the cutting table. This may be accomplished by a longitudinally reciprocally moving belt or table which is designed to support the severed section. This moving belt or table moves in synchronism with the cutting operation and may if desired be synchronized to the actual completion of each severing or cutting stroke.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevational schematic view of an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 is a top plan schematic view of the modifica- 2,959,412 Patented Nov. 8, 1960 In the present invention there is provided a suitable frame for the various components forming the present invention and may include a plurality of longitudinally extending and transverse steel beams. Supported at the rear of the frame is a cutting table 1 over which the length of fabric which is to be severed is drawn. Extending forwardly from the cutting table is a pair of side members 2 and 3 which may form, if desired, a portion of the frame. These side members 2 and 3 support the reciprocating carriage generally indicated at 4 and shown in partial detail in Figure 4. This carriage 4 may comprise a flat transversely extending supporting member 5 having downwardly extending sides 5a on which are mounted the wheels 6. These wheels 6 support the carriage for reciprocal movement over the side members 2 and 3. Solenoids 7 are secured to the members 5 by the angle member 7a. Each of these solenoids are pivotally secured to and actuate shaft 8, which in turn operatively controls a clamp or jaw 10. The shaft 8 may be provided with a turnbuckle 8a and intermediate angle support 8b. A helical spring 9 concentric with the shaft 8 normally tensions the jaws or clamps to a closed position. This spring extends between support 8b and locknut 8c on the threaded portion of the shaft. The jaw or clamp 10 comprises an upper jaw 50 and lower jaw 51. Upper jaw 50 is formed with an angle section having legs 52 and 53. The jaw 50 is pivoted to the lower jaw at the junction of legs 52 and 53 by the transversely extending pin 54, which is secured at either side in sidewall members 56 and 57, respectively, of the lower jaw 51, and sidewall 62 and 63 of beam 59. The upper end of leg 52 is pivotally connected to the free end of shaft 8 by pin 55. This free end is formed of a sleeve 58, threaded at one end to the shaft 8 and formed with a yoke at the other end, within which fits the leg 52. The lower jaw 51 with rearwardly positioned sidewalls 56 and 57 is adjustably secured to the supporting V-shaped cross section beam 59 by machine screws 60 and 61 passing respectively through the walls 56 and 57 into the walls 62 and 63 of the beam 59. The screws are threaded in walls 62 and 63 by passing freely through radial slots 64 in the sidewalls 56 and 57. This arrangement permits the jaw to be pivotally secured in any selected degree of limited rotation aboutpin 54. The lower jaw 51 is beveled at 66 and further is provided'with a slot 67 adapted to receive the lip 68 of the upper jaw 50 on closing. When the solenoid 7 is actuated, the jaws are opened against the tension of the s ring 9 for release of fabric.

The carriage 4 is operatively controlled by suitable means such as the chain drive 11. This chain drive com rises the chain 12 suitably mounted on snrockets 13 which in turn are rotatably mounted on the frame. The chain drive is provided with power from the hydraulic motor source generally indicated at 14 with the power being transmitted by any suitable means such as, for example, a chain drive 14a. This general arrangement may if desired be similar to that shown in my above mentioned co-pending application.

A second set of side members 15 and 16 are located respectivelv beneath the members 2 and 3, parallel to them. Suitably supported and journalled on these members 15 and 16 are a pair of rollers 17 and 18 with roller 17 being located parallel to and below the cutting table 1 and roller 18 being located close to the forward end of the machine. A plurality of endless belts are mounted for reciprocal motion on the rollers as indicated at 19. The rollers 17 and/or 18 are operatively controlled for reciprocal motion by suitable means such as by a chain drive 19:: engagement with the hydraulic power source 14. A plurality of limit switches L1, L4, L5, L2 and L3 are located on the side members 2 and 3 as indicated to engage the carriage as the carriage passes normally closed relay contacts R1 and R2.

3 the respective switches. Additional switches are also located as indicated at L6 and'L7 on the members'15. Additionally, a photoelectric eye 20 and light source 20 are mounted on the cutting table.

The circuit illustrated in Figure 3, which electrically controls the operation of the machine, will be described in connection with the operation of the machine. 'It should be understood, however, that the circuit is merely illustrative of a general embodiment of the invention. It should also be understood that power may be supplied by an electricmotor which in turn controls a hydraulic motor through the electrical engagement of the hydraulic motors directional solenoid coil.hereinafter described.

In this arrangement the entire circuit may'beenergized .by turning on the switchSWl. When this switch is turned on, "current passes through the hydraulic directional coil HCR with the current passing through the This coil HCR, which forms a part of a standard hydraulic reversing motor system, controls the operation of the hydraulic motor in onedirection. When actuated it will cause the carriage to move towards the cutting table through operation of the chain drive 11 in a counter-clockwise direction. As the carriage moves towards the cutting table, it engages and trips the limit switch L1. When this switch is tripped and thereby closed, relay coil RC1 is energized.

'This in turn closes the holding relay contact R1, as well as the contact R1", the latter being in series with the hydraulicdirectional coil HCF. This hydraulic directional coil HCF controlsthe movement of the hydraulic motor in the opposite direction .and consequently when actuated causes the carriage to move in a forward direction. v.The contact R1 which as stated is normally closed will open upon energization of the relay coil RC1. Thus, the hydraulic directional coil HCR will be de-energized while the. hydraulic directional HCF is energized causing :a reversal inthe direction of movement of the carriage. When the carriage trips switch L4 at the other end of the sideJmemberS, this switch which is normally closed then opens and thereby de-energizes coil RC1. Upon de-energization of. coil RC1, relay contacts R1 and R1 are opened and R1 closed, thereby causing de-energization of coil HCF and energizing coil HCR. This, of course, causes the carriage to reverse its direction and initiates another cycle as herein described.

Concurrent with the forward and reverse control of the carriage there is provided a photoelectric means for initiating the actuation of the carriage movement. In this arrangement the photoelectric relay and the temporary stop switch L2 are connected in parallel. The photoelectric relay is of standard manufacture with this relay being operatively controlled by the photoelectric cell and light arrangement. Such an arrangement is currently manufactured by General Electric. The photoelectric relay which is normally closed is in series with. a hold ing contact R2 of the relay coil RC2. The relay coil RC2'is connected in series with both the photoelectric relay and the limit switch L2. When the photoelectric relay is broken by interrupting the.beam of light between the light source and the photoelectric cell, the relay coil RC2 is de-energized, if it had previously been energized.

Upon de-energizing of this coil RC2, the contact R2 in series with the coil ,I-ICFand HCR is permitted to return to its normal closed position. .Under these,circumst ances either one of. the coils HCF and HCR may be energized. Normally the coil HCR will first be energized. Thus, the carriage will first move in a reverse direction upon actuation of the relay of. photoelectric switch. .When the carriage moves in its reverse direction, however, it will trip switch L2. When switch L2 is tripped, coil RC2 is energized and held in this position by the holding contact R2. This in turn will open normally closed contact R2"temporarily stopping the reverse movement of the carriage, away from the cutting table, as'the coil HCR will no longer beenergized.

-mately eight inches or alternately a distance equal to the chine.

by the normally open limit switch L3 and the normally closed limit switch L5. These switches are connected in parallel with one another and in series with the relay coil RC3. A holding contact R3 is in series with switch L5. Upon actuation of switch L3 on the movement of the carriage, the coil RC3 is. energized and held in this energized position by contact R3. Similarly contact R3 in series with the coils of solenoids is closed energizing the plurality of solenoids 7 which open the fingers or clamps. Any fabric held between-the fingers is thereupon released. On the reverse movement of the carriage the limit switch L5 is engaged. Thisde energizes the coil RC3 and in turn opens contact R3, thus de-energizing the solenoid 7. When solenoids'7 are dc-energized the spring member closes the fingers about the fabric which at this point is positioned between the fingers. It will be noted that the limit. switch L5 is positioned close to the reversing limit switch L1 with both of these limiting switches being adjusted close to the cutting table so that they will be operated when the leading edgeof the fabric to be cut is positioned between the openfingers of the clamp.

The reciprocally moving conveyor belt positioned below the level of the cutting table is controlled by limit switches L6, L7 and L8. Limit switch L8 which is normally open is connected in parallel with the normally closed limit switch L6, both switches being connected in series with relay coil RC4. Limit switch L8 is adapted to be engaged by the carriage near the end of its forward motion. Upon this engagement the relay coil RC4 is energized closing the holding contact R4 and the contact R4. When contact R4 is closed, the motor M1 is energized moving the conveyor belt in a forward direction. As these conveyor belts move in a forward direction, a projection positioned on the conveyor belt trips limit switch L7 positioned near the forward end of the ma- Limit switch L7 is connected in parallel to the normally closed limit switch L6 with limit switch L6 and L7 in series with relay coil RC5. When limit switch L7 is closed, the coil RC5 is energized closing the holding contactRS and the contact R5. Contact R5 is connected in series with the electric coil of the electric clutchCl. "This clutch C1, in turn when engaged, re-

verses the direction of the motor M1. When this motor M1 is reversed in direction, the belt moves rearwardly until the projection previously mentioned engages limit switch L6. This limit switch L6 which is in series with engagement of both of these coils, the motor M1 will stop and the clutchCl will be disengaged, thus permitting the -motor when next energized to move the belt in a forward direction.

;It will benoted that the limit switch L7 is positioned so that the belts will move forward a distance of approxidistance'between the line at which the operator cuts the fabric and the forward edge of the cutting table. By this arrangement material which has been severed and drops on to the moving belt will be pulled forward a distance equal to the space between the cutting line and the edge of the table to pull the fabric clear. The reversing movement-'of the belt will thereafter move the fabric the cutting table for-grasping the leading edge of the nnsevered portion.

While the present invention has been described in connection with an embodiment utilizing a reciprocal rotating set of rollers positioned on a level somewhatbelow the cutting table, it should be understood that a reciprocal moving table or other similar means may also be utilized. Moreover, for proper operation of the device, the moving table or reciprocally rotating rollers should be mounted on a hydraulic system which automatically lowers upon each reciprocal movement so as to be selfcompensating for the growing pile of material deposited on it. If desired, the control of the height of the reciprocal moving belts or table may be obtained by a hydraulic system connected in series with a limit switch positioned upon the member 15 or 16 which is actuated upon the reciprocal movement of the unit. A suitable adjustment may be obtained by conventional means for lowering the table at a selected rate.

It should be noted in the arrangement of the present invention that the pile of goods being formed upon the reciprocating table should be returned to their original position in which the trailing edge of the severed section is aligned vertically with the leading edge of the section to be severed. In other Words, it is preferable to arrange this pile of severed material so that it partially lies beneath the ctuting table 1.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device for severing successive segments from an elongated length of fabric, means for drawing the fabric forward including a carriage adapted to be reciprocally moved, means supporting a plurality of jaws on sa'd carriage with said jaws adapted to grasp the leading edge of said fabric, solenoid means, a shaft interconnecting said solenoid means and said jaws whereby said jaws may be operatively controlled by said solenoid means, and spring means adapted to tension said jaws toward a preselected position on de-energization of said solenoid means.

2. In a device for severing successive segments from an elongated length of fabric or the like, having a table with a surface on which said segments are severed, means for drawing the fabric forward including a carriage adapted to be reciprocally moved to and away from said table, means supporting a plurality of clamping elements on said carriage with said clamping elements adapted to grasp the leading edge of said fabric, said clamping elements including an upper and lower jaw pivotally interconnected with one another with said lower jaw adapted to be adjustably positioned to slide over the surface of i said table, and operative means operatively engaging said upper jaw for grasping said fabric.

3. In a device for severing successive segments from an elongated length of fabric or the like, having a table on which said segments are severed, the combination of a carriage means adapted to engage said length, means supporting said carriage for reciprocal movement toward and away from said table in longitudinal alignment with said fabric, a reciprocally moveable engageable member including a surface upon which at least part of said segments are adapted to fall in engaging relation when released by said carriage means, means for reciprocally actuating said engageable member, and synchronous operating means for activating said carriage means and engaging member.

4. In a device for severing successive segments from an elongated length of fabric or the like, having a table on which said segments are severed, the combination of a carriage means adapted to engage said length, means supporting said carriage for reciprocal movement toward and away from said table in longitudinal alignment with said fabric, a reciprocally moveable engageable member including a horizontally disposed reciprocal surface upon which at least a part of said segments are adapted to fall in engaging relation when released by said carriage means, means for actuating said engageable member, and synchronous operating means for activating said carriage means and engaging member.

5. A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said synchronous operating means is operatively controlled by a photo-electric cell disposed on said table.

6. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said surface is disposed at least partially directly below said table.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Meisel Apr. 3, 1894 

